MEDFORD, Ore. -- Saturday nights in the Beaver State will have more teeth in 2012 as the Southern Oregon Speedway will sanction their weekly Modified division with the United States Racing Association.

Located near Medford in Central Point, this is the first racetrack in Oregon to fly the USRA banner and the third venue in a new state to join the family of USRA member tracks this year.

“We were impressed with (promoter) John Skinner and his organization during our first visit to Oregon,” said Lon Oelke, USRA’s Director of Growth & Partnerships. “Many of the aspects of a dirt track are the same no matter where you go, but the needs and nuances of each facility are always different. We’re looking forward to getting to know the people and places around Southern Oregon Speedway, and working with their staff to maintain a fun and competitive class for both racers and fans.”

Drivers in the USRA RHS Modified division at the Southern Oregon Speedway will compete for a points fund worth up to $1,500 at season’s end to the track champion plus multiple contingency awards and a $10,000 top prize for the national champion in the American Racer USRA Weekly Racing Series.

“Our Modified rules are already pretty close, and we really like what USRA has to offer our drivers,” said Skinner, who has operated the track since building it in 1996. “I’m a big fan of the Modifieds, and I think our drivers and fans will be very happy with this program.”

Mark Wauge of Jacksonville, Ore., is the defending track champion. The long-time racer captured his fifth Modified track championship in 2011. Matt Duste, who competed this past week in Tucson, Ariz., during the Wild West Shootout featuring USRA RHS Modifieds, was the runner-up this past season.

This season will kick off with a car show on Saturday, April 7, under the big tent at the Skinner Autoplex in Medford, followed by a test ‘n’ tune session at the speedway from 3-7 p.m.

Opening night for the USRA RHS Modifieds will start with a bang as drivers will be racing for $1,000 to win during the Pear Blossom Special on Saturday, April 14. Pro Mods, Super 4s, Street Stocks and Mini Stocks will also be part of the weekly program.

The Southern Oregon Speedway is a 1/3-mile semi-banked clay oval located 5.6 miles north of I-5 (exit 30) on SR 62 (Crater Lake Hwy.), then 2.3 miles east on SR 140, then 0.5 mile south on Kershaw Rd., then east beyond the dragstrip (at the Jackson County Sports Park). For more information call 541-282-8066 or 541-772-6264 or check out www.sospeedway.com online.

To learn more about the USRA, visit www.usraracing.com or call 515-832-6000. You can also like us on Facebook, join us on MySpace or follow us on Twitter.

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USRA OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Awesome Race Suits, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, Karl Performance Parts, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, NITROQUEST, RACEceiver, RHS – Racing Head Service, Western Flyer HotMods.

USRA PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Boubin Tire & Automotive, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, DAY Motor Sports, DirtKnights.com, SpeedNet Direct.

USRA CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: COMP Cams, Dirthead.com, Eibach Springs, Forty9Designs.com, Genesis Shocks, Hooker Custom Harness, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, New Vision Graphics, PBM Performance Products, Real Racing Wheels, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products.